By City Manager Ken Striplin
It is that time of year again! The holiday spirit is upon us, and if you happen to find yourself in Old Town Newhall on Saturday, November 21, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., you will be welcomed to Santa Clarita’s most popular holiday event, Light Up Main Street, presented by DrinkPAK. Join the Santa Clarita City Council as they lead the official tree lighting ceremony countdown at 5:30 p.m. and then enjoy the rest of the evening with family and friends across five blocks of festive holiday activities.
I encourage all residents to plan their trip to Light Up Main Street ahead of time. Road closures will begin Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m. and go until midnight. Lyons Avenue will be closed between Walnut Street and Railroad Avenue, and Main Street will be closed between Lyons Avenue and the roundabout. Detours will be available via Railroad Avenue and Newhall Avenue. There will be free public parking available at several nearby locations, including the Old Town Newhall Parking Garage (22551 9th Street).
If you’re looking for the easiest way to get to Light Up Main Street, take Santa Clarita Transit and avoid the hassle of traffic or looking for parking. Plan your trip using GO! Santa Clarita, the City’s rideshare service, or take Local Routes 4, 14 and 5, 6, which will conveniently redirect service to stop right in front of the event, dropping off and picking up riders at Walnut Street and Lyons Avenue. Local Route 12 offers normal service with northbound stops at Railroad Avenue and Newhall Metrolink Station, and southbound stops at Railroad Avenue and 13th Street or Railroad Avenue and 6th Street. Attendees can also take Metrolink to the Old Town Newhall Metrolink Station (24300 Railroad Avenue). For more information on ways to get to Light Up Main Street, visit SantaClaritaTransit.com.
Once you’ve arrived, there is so much to enjoy, including live musical performances and even snow. Unwind at the DrinkPAK Lounge under the holiday lights, or if you are looking for a quieter spot to enjoy the evening, visit the Chill Zone, a sensory-friendly space designed to be quiet, calm and inclusive for all.
Following the Main Street Fire in August, our community continues to show up for Old Town Newhall, and events like this are vital to bringing visitors to our downtown businesses. I encourage you to make a day of the celebration and support our local economy before, during and after the event. The holiday season brings out the best in people; it’s a time to give back and support those around us, including our beloved Old Town Newhall community businesses. So, I invite you to embrace the holiday spirit and join us for this year’s Light Up Main Street, presented by DrinkPAK.
Ken Striplin is the City Manager for the City of Santa Clarita and can be reached at kstriplin@santaclarita.gov.
